Road barricade



July 28, 1959 T. s. WARD 2,396,918

ROAD BARRICADE Filed Feb. 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 T. S. WARD ROAD BARRICADE July 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20, 1957 INVENTOR. THEODO/PE 5. W490 ROAD BARRICADE Theodore S. Ward, Des Moines, Iowa Application February 20, 1957, Serial No. 641,355 Claims. (Cl. 25664) This invention relates to a road barricade apparatus for blocking off areas from various types of traffic. The primary object of the present invention is to provide a road barricade apparatus which is readily convertible conversely from a compact, folded arrangement for transportation or storage purposes, to a sturdy, unfolded arrangement for its intended use.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a road barricade apparatus having a tubular cross member, wherein all structure necessary for the utilization of the road barricade may be quickly and easily folded from a position of use to a position of non-use completely within the confines of the cross member, and wherein the actuation of the structure to either position may be performed without disassembling the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a road barricade apparatus which is of a lightweight construction for ease of handling, but which is of a rugged construction adapted to withstand the usual wear and tear when in either a transportable or an operating arrangement. 7

Another object of the present invent-ion is to provide a road barricade apparatus wherein all parts thereof, irrespective of whether the barricade is arranged for transportation, storage, or intended use, are neither separable nor removable from the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a road barricade apparatus having a tubular cross member, wherein a support element may be operatively associated with the cross member in a plurality of alternate positions for holding or supporting various warning or blocking devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a road barricade apparatus having a tubular cross member, wherein a support element operatively associated for supporting various warning or blocking devices is movable from a position of use to a position of non-use, completely enclosed by the cross member.

These and other objects will become more apparent by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective, side elevational view of the road barricade apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 2 is 'an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, side elevational view of the apparatus, with a portion of the cross member being broken away to show the interior arrangement when the apparatus is in a folded position for transportation or storage purposes;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the end of the apparanim rates Patent 0 2,896,918 Patented July 28, 1959 The road barricade comprises an elongated, tubular cross member 10 of light gage sheet metal construction, and of a square shape in cross section having four sides 11, 12, 13 and 14. A pair of elongated, tubular supporting leg members 17 and 18 of a pipe construction, are shown as extending outwardly and downwardly from each end 19 of the cross member 10.

Since the arrangement of a pair of leg members 17 and 18 and associated units therefor at each end 19 of the cross member 10 is the same, only one end arrangement will be described in detail, with like components having like reference numerals.

The legs 17 and 18 (Fig. 2) are shown as being placed within the cross member 10 in a criss-cross, side by side position, wherein they extend through two opposed pairs of slots 21, 22 and 26, 27 formed adjacent the end 19 of the cross member. The pair of slots 21 and 22 are formed in the upper sides 11 and 12, respectively, of the cross member 10 for receiving the upper end portions 23 and 24 of the leg members 17 and 18, respectively. The slots 21 and 22 are oblong in form and are shown as being transversely and longitudinally spaced (Fig. 3) relative to the cross member 10. The second pair of slots 26 and 27 are formed in the lower sides 13 and 14, respectively, and are also transversely and longitudinally spaced relative to the cross member 10. The slots 26 and 27 extend lengthwise of the member 10 so as to have their outer ends open to the adjacent end 19 of the cross member 10, for a purpose to appear later. The slot 27 is shown as being of a greater length than the slot 26 to provide for the legs 17 and 18 being placed in a side by side relation.

The end portions 23 and 24 of the respective leg members 17 and 18 are of a reduced diameter to form shoulders 28 and 29 for contacting the under sides of the'cross member upper sides 11 and 12 respectively, whereby to provide positive supporting structures for the cross member 10. A unit 33 at the outer end of each end portion 23 and 24 includes an extension element 34 with a lateral projection 35 at the outer end thereof, the length of the projection 35 being greater thanthe width of, but less than the length of, a corresponding slot 21 and 22. Thus each end portion unit 33 is T-shaped for a purpose to' appear later.

Each leg member 17 and 18 is provided with a holding device 36 and 37, respectively. The device 36, identical in structure to device 37, comprises a right angular support member (Figs. 2 and 4) having two sides 38 and 39, the base side 38 being secured adjacent the slot 26 to the inner side of the cross member side 13 such that the upright side 39 is adjacent to and parallel with the slot 26. Additionally, the holding device 36 includes an eye member 40 which is swivelly engaged in an oblong slot 41 (Fig. 5) formed in the upright side 39, such that its axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the planeof the adjacent side 13. The eye member 40 extends over the slot 23 and guidably receives the leg member 17.

Assuming the road barricade is assembled in the 0per'ating position (Fig. 1), the leg members 17 and 18 are placed in the criss-cross, side by side position where leg member 17 extends through the lower slot 26, the eye member 40, and the upper slot 21, and leg member 18 extends through the lower slot 27, the other eye member 40, and the upper slot 22. The slots are so positioned in the end 19 of the cross member 10, that when the shoulders 28 and 29 of. the respective leg members 17 and 18 contact the inner sides of the cross member sides 11 and 12, the leg members extend beneath the cross' member 10a like distance so as to provide a solid sup-,

porting structure. r

Shouldit be necessary to move the road barricade a short distance, a person needs merely to grasp the cross member and lift the entire apparatus. As the lateral projection 35 of each leg member end portion 23 and 24 is normally rotated upon assembly so as to extend .at right angles to the length of the adjacent oblong s1ot21 or 22, the leg members 17 or 18 are held against disengagement from the sides 11 and 12 of the cross member 10.

To fold the road barricade into a position for'transportation or storage purposes, each leg member 117 and 18 is rotated until the respective lateral projection 35 is properly aligned with its respective slot 21 or 22, then each leg member is lowered through its upper slot, at the same time being moved lengthwise through its respective lower slot and the eye member 40, until the end 23 or 24 of the leg member is 'well within the interior of the cross member 10. Each leg member 17 and 18 is then moved laterally out of its respective lower slot 26 and 27 by a pivoting movement at the eye member 40 which swivels about in the slot 41 formed in the upright member 39, until the respective leg member is horizontal with or aligned longitudinally with the cross member, the upper end 23 or 24 of the leg member remaining in the cross member 10. Each leg member is then moved lengthwise through its respective eye member 40 until the lower end projections 43 on each leg member contacts the eye member 40 and the entire length of the leg member lies within the confines of the cross member 10 (Figs. 3 and 4).

Although the cross member 10 and the leg members 17 and 18 are of a light gage sheet metal, it is evident that the arrangement provides for a sturdy road barricade when set up, wherein the structure will take considerable abuse. This also holds true with respect to the ability of the structure to withstand considerable knocking about when being transported or stored, which is usually 'the treatment this type of equipment receives. The ability of the apparatus to be self-containing, wherein all parts are contained within the cross member, is equally important for the preservation of the components in their usable condition.

A device which is invariably used in conjunction with a barricade of any type is also arranged to be enclosed within the cross member 10 during non-use. This device is a supporting element 44 (Fig. 1) formed to hold a warning lamp 45. The supporting element 44 is U- shaped, having a pair of resilient legs 46 and 47 joined at one end 48 in a semi-circular manner. Indentations 49 are formed in the sides 46 and 47 near the end 48 for the particular purpose of holding the warning lamp 45 in a secure manner. The lamp 45 may be connected to the end 19 of the cross member 10 by a chain 51 or other device to deter theft thereof.

The legs 46 and 47 of the lamp supporting element 44 have a normal lateral distance therebetween greater than the diagonal distance between the opposed corners of the cross member 10, whereby, upon frictional insertion of the element 44 into the horizontally opposed comers 52 and 53 of the end 19 of the cross member 10 (Figs. 2 and 4) the legs 46 and 47 are sprung inwardly a degree sufficient to provide a force fit of the supporting element 44 in the cross member 10. It is obvious that by merely pushing the supporting element 44 inwardly, it maybe enclosed by the member 10.

In addition to the warning lamp 45, other warning devices, such as reflective stripes 54, may be placed on the outer sides of the cross member 10; and, although not depicted herein, it is of interest that the lamp supporting element 44 may also be inserted in the vertically opposed corners 55 and 56 in the end 19 of the cross member 10 whereby to hold in a horizontal or other manner, other road blocking elements, such as a 2" x 4" piece of wood.

Having described one particular embodiment of the invention, it is to be .remembered that .the invention is not to be so limited. On the contrary, various modifications and alternate constructions may be made without varying from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tubular memberthaving formed therein an opposed pair of slots, means for supporting said member comprising, an elongated element, a shoulder formed at one end of said element, said element being insertable through both said slots whereby the inner side of said member adjacent one slot contacts said shoulder and whereby the other end of said element is in a ground engaging position, andpivotal means attached to said member internally thereof for holding said element in a manner whereby said element is movable lengthwise of said pivotal means to a position into and out of said slots and further whereby "said element is pivotally movable in a plane substantially parallel'to the longitudinal axis of said Lmember, to a folded positionwithin 'said'mernber while remaining operatively connected to said pivotal means.

2. A tubular member having formed therein an opposed pair of slots, means for supporting said member comprising, an elongated element, a shoulder formed atone end of said element and a ground engaging portion formed at the other end'thereof, said element'being insertable through both said slots whereby the inner side of said member adjacent one slot contacts said shoulder, and means 'for'pivotally holding securing said element 'to said member including a support member attached to the interior of said member and adjacent the slot opposite said shoulder contacting slot, and including further an eye member pivotally attached to saidsupport member, said eye member adapted to encircle said element for movement lengthwise through said eye member said opposite slot being of a length such that said element is pivotable through and out of said slot from an unfolded ground engaging position to a folded position within said member.

3. A road barricade comprising a tubular cross member having two pairs of transversely opposed slots' formed therein adjacent each end thereof, one pair of slots extending lengthwise of the cross member and being open to' the adjacent end thereof, a pair of leg members for each end of said cross member, each leg memberbeing insertable through two opposed slots whereby to form with an adjacent leg member a support structure for said cross member, and a holding means for each leg member comprising a support member attached to the interior of said cross member and adjacent a corresponding open-end slot, and an eyelet device pivotally attached to each support member, said eyelet device adapted to hold each leg member loosely about the periphery thereof whereby said leg member is movable lengthwise of said holding means and pivotally in and out of an adjacent open-end slot.

4. A road barricade comprising a tubular cross member having two pairs of opposed slots formed therein adjacent each endthereof, one pair of slots extending lengthwise of the cross member and being open to the adjacent end thereof, a pair of leg members for each end of said cross member, each leg member being insertable through two opposed slots thereby forming with an adjacent leg member a support structure at each end of said cross member, and means for holding said leg members comprising an angular support member secured to the interior of said cross member adjacent each openend slot, and comprising further a circular element pivotally attached to each support member, the pivot axis of each said circular element being substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the adjacent open-end slot, each circular element adapted to hold a leg member loosely about the periphery thereof whereby a leg member is movable lengthwise of said circular element and pivotally movable into and out of an open-end slot.

5. A road barricade comprising a tubular cross memher, said cross member having formed therein adjacent each end thereof two opposed pairs of slots, the slots of each pair being longitudinally aligned in a side elevation and transversely spaced in a plan elevation, one pair of slots extending to and being open at the adjacent end of the cross member, two pairs of elongated, tubular leg members for ground supporting said cross member, each pair of leg members placeable in a criss-cross, side by side manner within said cross member at an end thereof, whereby each leg member is inserted through each longitudinally aligned slot of one opposed pair of slots with one end thereof in a ground engaging position, each leg member having a length not greater than that of the cross member, and holding means secured to said cross member including a pivotal device for holding each leg member of a pair whereby said each leg member may move from the ground engaging position normal to the longitudinal axis of the cross member whereby to be removed from one slot, and further whereby said leg member may pivotally move in a plane parallel to said axis whereby to be removed from the other slot, and further whereby said leg'mernber may be moved lengthwise through said means to a position completely within said cross member.

Maclaskey Mar. 19, 1946 Morain Oct. 18, 1955 

